My morning Walk

Colleen is back and right off she suggested we walk in the morning at 7:00. I have not walked our usual route since I have been here. I know that isn't like me, but it seemed to be first one thing then another as I am sure most of you can relate. So I said yes and then it rained so it was a no go. Not only did it rain, it rained all day! Frankly I am a bit tired of the rain. And so this morning I headed out for our walk and when I arrived at the trail there was no sign of Colleen so I texted her and asked, "Walking this morning?" She texted back, "Sleeping". So I went anyway and what a walk it was! I took several photos and as usual, thought of many people I would love to share the experience with even though I am always content to walk alone. It is that I know there are many among you who would enjoy the view as much as I do.

My iris in the front flower bed.

 Weeping willow one block south of us on Cedar.

 The trail is a colorful, scented walkway and certainly a sight to behold. This view is looking south on the trail.

 Mullein, I think...

 Raindrops on everything afforded some great photo ops.

 Our one mile from the depot marker looking north.

 Raindrops and Clover...

 Looking North on the trail

 Mickey texted me to tell me there were four deer on Cedar street headed south and not long after here they came straight at me!

 We had a brief visual communication and then they continued on their way.

The way things happen

Butch went to the lumberyard a few weeks ago and was scoping out pavers for our little patio and they had a couple of pallets full. When we were there again for something else Butch noticed they were way down and suggested if we were going to buy them we better do it, so we did. We bought 63 and that was all they had. They warned us that the company making this particular paver went out of business and there would never be more of them. We were not concerned because I am not of the fussy sort and had decided if we needed more we would take whatever they had and work out some kind of design. And then we hired the job done and Russ and Tyson suggested a different way of doing things and we needed 25 more pavers. No problem. We would buy more. Butch went to the lumberyard and there were no pavers at all!
But wait!!!
The people who had bought the first batch needed some and had come to buy more and there were none there because we had bought them all. So being fussier than we are they were returning what they had purchased! That allowed us to get all we needed and more. As luck would have it!!
So lesson learned? If you go with the flow, keep calm and carry on, don't sweat the small stuff etc., things work out!

Mickey and Peanuts

Mickey and her grand dog Peanuts stopped by on their bike ride. They were both enjoying it.

WEBSITE OF THE DAY

69 DIY cleaning products to make for pennies. If you're tired of reaching for cleaning products with ingredients you can't even pronounce, then head to your local grocery store for a few basic components and make your own. These eco-friendly concoctions are easy to make and will leave your RV (or house) sparkling.

Butch saw an allergist this past week and found out he is allergic to Mold and Cats mainly. It was a kind of a surprise to us because we thought it was south Texas trees he was allergic to as he always became so much worse in February.
We did notice an improvement when we no longer had Angel so that one did not surprise us.
One of the 69 homemade cleaners above is for mold and mildew so I think I will be making it. I already have all the ingredients.

The Amazing Tea Tree Oil Mold and Mildew Killer

If you're sick and tired of treating mold and mildew in your space, DIY this antifungal spray that keeps it from taking over damp spots. Although this helpful cleaner won't get rid of existing stains, it will keep the nastiness from coming back. Tea tree oil is naturally antifungal, making it an eco-friendly option for keeping your space clean.

What You'll Need:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup white distilled vinegar

20 drops tea tree oil

Small spray bottle

Directions:

1. Mix together the vinegar and water in a small spray bottle. Vinegar is naturally antibacterial, which gives a bit of a cleaning boost to this spray. Now add the tea tree oil, and give the bottle a little shake.

To use, simply spray over tiles, tubs, showers, and sinks with lurking mold or mildew, and walk away. If the areas have existing mold or mildew stains, it's a good idea to treat them with hydrogen peroxide to naturally bleach away marks.

Stash in your bathroom, and use daily for best results.

Weekend

We went to the auction on Saturday and all we purchased was a step ladder for $2. It will stay in the storage shed so we do not have to carry one back and forth. I saw a few items I might have liked but they did a bundling trick and I didn't want them bad enough to deal with all the extra stuff attached.
We have all the furniture and other items we need so now I have to get possessive of our space or it will disappear like magic. We have attained the place where it is time to enjoy what we have worked so diligently to get. It is still fun to be at an auction and watch.

Last night was a stormy one and Lake City, located about 45 miles northwest of us was hit by a tornado. Right in line with it was Rockwell City where my sister Myrla lives with her husband Scott. I called her after it was over and the tornado was about 3 blocks from her house. It was what they call a multi-vortec tornado and I do not know what that means, but I am guessing it was multiple tornadoes in one. We experienced some periods of heavy rain and that is as bad as it got in Jefferson.

Last winter I bought a pressure cooker and I liked it. Yesterday I used it to cook a frozen pork loin with potatoes carrots etc and it was good. Today I made apple pie oatmeal and that too was good. I plan to use it more frequently so it isn't a learning process every time I touch it. If you have a favorite pressure cooked meal tell me about it!

What's up with us?

After starting on the patio, I soon decided I did not know what I was doing and my body was protesting my efforts with a hurting hip and wrists that were unhappy. After 3 past back surgeries, Butch certainly didn't need to bail me out. Besides he didn't know any more about it than I did. So we decided our money was better used to save our health and we are hiring it done. Hopefully, it will be worked on this next week. This will be the last of our larger projects. I still have 6 on the todo list and they are all within our abilities.

I have contacted the library and will resume computer lessons probably in a couple of weeks on Monday nights from 6 to 8. This will be a 6-week session and I will be paid! I sent information to the librarian and she will be doing the advertising on it and make up the flyers. I sent her info on what can be expected from the class and that might help with structure. All my people from last season want to come back again so I might be doing something right.

We worked on getting garage items that were stored but not serving a frequent function into the storage shed. Still have some work to do, but that project is coming along nicely.

Butch and I are taking a break today and going to an auction. We both enjoy them, even though our willpower gets tested. We always have the safety of Magnolia parks monthly garage sales in South Texas if we fail.

List of Windows 7 Shortcuts

How to Quickly Find a List of Windows 7 Shortcuts

How many of you knew that you have a list of Windows 7 shortcuts available to you with just a couple of clicks? Nope. They’re not on a Web site. Nope. We’re not talking about something you download. These are right there on your Windows 7 computer and they’ve been there all the time.

Want to know how to find them?

1. Open the Start menu
2. Click “Help and Support”
3. In the Help search bar, type shortcuts
4. A list of shortcuts will be displayed by category
5. Click any category to get a list of shortcuts

Here’s a screen shot for you:

Roadrunner RV Park,Oklahoma City

This park is located very near Interstates 35 and 44. Many of us Snowbirds go through this area every Spring and Fall. This is a tornado-prone area. One suggestion from a Facebook RV Tips section is to get in your truck/car and fasten your seat belt if you find that you are out of time to get somewhere safe.

That would be a very bumpy ride but then the Oklahoma roads are similar.

All American Must try foods from the 50 states

Of course, Iowa has the pork tenderloin and I found it interesting to see what I am missing from other states. What does your state feature?

http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/recipes/all-american-eats-must-try-foods-from-the-50-states/ss-AA9ZUnG#image=15

Jason's artistic eye

These are art pieces that son Jason has made. I like ALL of them! I told him Mother's day is right around the corner!

These photos Jason took while visiting Pella's Tulip Festival. Do you think he may have an artistic eye?

Rhubarb Pudding

This is an old time, all time family favorite and one the whole family asks for every Spring. You cannot even imagine my relief in finding it. Like finding a long lost friend. Thank you, Sherri Clark for sending me on the last of many searches for this recipe.

 Rhubarb Pudding

3 C. Rhubarb, Coarsely Chopped

1 C. Sugar

1/4 t Cinnamon

Dabs Of Butter

1 Egg

1 C. Flour

1/2 C. Milk

1 t Baking Powder

1 C. Sugar

[Note: Via Shirley Franey and Marian Feld. A very old family

favorite. ]

Place first 4 ingredients in a 8" x 8" pan. Mix together remaining

ingredients and pour evenly over rhubarb mix. Bake 45 min. at 350 deg.

Teeter Kids Birthday Party

Little Leo's Birthday was April 11th and he turned two. Miss Elise's birthday is May 14th and she will be five. So this is a combined birthday party and this was fine with them. This may not be true in years to come although these two do get along famously as they say.

All Ability Cycles.

There has been some interest in All Ability Bicycles and here is the website where you can find out more or ask questions of John Brunow the owner. We are so lucky to have John in our town. He has really helped people get on bicycles safely. I still love my Raleigh but if and when I get to the point where I do not feel safe on it I will go talk to John about what I can do to ride like the wind one more time.

http://allabilitycycles.com/#sthash.4YXVaGUe.dpbs

Pareidolia

Pareidolia | Define Pareidolia at Dictionary.com

dictionary.reference.com/browse/pareidolia

Dictionary.com

the imagined perception of a pattern or meaning where it does not actually exist, as in considering the moon to have human features. 

I was taking a phone call while in the garage and looked at the wall, noticing this image and wondering if it looked more like a woman or a dog and thought, "Oh, this is a pareidolia!".

Close up of same image.

Geese on the River

No Idea!

Mickey has no idea I took her picture. This is her new bike that she really, really likes! She purchased it at AllAbility Bikes here in Jefferson. They really do have a bike for everybody keeping in mind physical limitations. I enjoy having someone to ride with!

On the way back we encountered a group of elementary students enjoying the trail. They gave us "Biking Grandmas" room to get by them. They seemed to enjoy seeing us!

Storage Shed arrives

The project list is dwindling. I do keep thinking of things to add to it however. For instance, transporting items from the garage to the shed and making an inventory list are not on the list. I am guessing it will happen without being listed.

 Getting the shed in place was an interesting thing to watch. Very inventive people have designed machinery in such a way that it only takes one man and this magic truck fully equipped to get the shed in the exact spot it is supposed to be.

I may continue this entry later but for now I have been putting off the exercise routine and today is when I return to it. So to the bridge and back on my bike is the very next thing on my to do list! Toodle Do!

A few steps closer

We are a few steps closer to being able to put our feet up and say that our 2015 project list is finished. Now do not misread that sentence! We are still several projects short of that goal. The tulips are about done for this year.
We made good progress today.
We have new underlayment and rock in our driveway.

 I finally cleaned the front flower bed. It never feels right till that chore is completed. Note the new railing Butch built that I have not painted yet. It is still on the project list.

 Here is a view of the flower bed and the driveway.

 The white spot in the background on the right is where the new shed will be sitting tomorrow.

 Last year we nearly became stuck with the motorhome as we were leaving so we added more rock to take us back to the alley where the base is more solid. This was a good move even if it doesn't look or sound like much. We hope to have the alley open soon. wink,wink.

 The white area to the left of OUR rhubarb patch is where the new shed will be. The burn barrel is ours.

 Our back yard where more projects will be taking place throughout the summer.

 This tree is in our backyard and I am standing on the steps out the back door. The new shed spot and our rhubarb seems so far away but it really isn't.

Beautiful Sunday and Camper for sale

Jason came over and we walked to HyVee for breakfast. It is a new store for Jefferson and that is the first time we have been there for breakfast. Jason wanted biscuits and gravy, Butch had a traditional bacon, eggs and toast and I went ala carte with french toast and scrambled eggs. I like the ala carte idea very much because you can order exactly what you want. And the food was good. They also were preparing for a full all-out buffet with omelets made to order and all you can eat for $14.99 a person. I am almost 100% certain that will never be something we do. They were getting set up so I have no idea if there were people who would choose that route.
And then Mickey asked if I wanted to ride to the bridge and back after it warmed up a bit and I said yes and then we did. Perfect day for it. We have now accumulated enough bicycles so if someone comes without their bike we can still ride. The new shed will help with the storage of them.
I did finally get inspired to do some spring cleaning and started with the window closest to the computer desk and the one that bothers me the most. Sure feels good to look through a bright shiny window. Might even get to another one today. wink,wink.
Son Gary is selling his Camper. It is now located in Missouri but I am sure arrangements could be made if you are interested. It is in very good condition with the exception of the awning fabric. I can get you connected if needed.

Update north and south

The big news is on the Magnolia Park Blog. www.magnolianews.blogspot.com.
They had a big, bad storm in South Texas last night around midnight. Read about it on the magnolia blog. I hear our manager is at management school and missed the whole thing. nuff said.
When I came back from our trip to Costco that took place on Friday rather than Thursday here is what my romantic husband was doing! So for all you husbands who want to know how to woo your wife. This is it! I greatly appreciate his thoughtfulness.

And here is my solar glow ball on the table in the 3 season room. I love it too!

Tomorrow is Thursday!

And guess where I am going? Costco!! Mickey and I are going to make a Costco run. Like old times but with different friends.
Tuesday night Mickey had us and a few other friends over for Mexican. Delicious by the way and we also had a great deal of fun with a Wii. I have thought of purchasing one before but they certainly are pricey little devils. If we ever must stay in Iowa all winter I may reconsider because they are great exercise. We had a blast with it and I have not laughed that hard since Peg, Kay and I got the giggles over I do not remember what...or maybe I do but cannot share. Anyway the friends, the food and the Wii were a bunch of fun.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Rhubarb is abundant right now and I may get around to making this bread. It certainly looks tasty. I have a great patch of rhubarb and I have made a list of the rest of the things I need. I will let you know what I think of it.

Orange Rhubarb Bread Recipe

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Bake: 40 min. + coolingYIELD:12 servings

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2/3 cup finely chopped fresh rhubarb
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

• 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, orange peel and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream. Fold in rhubarb and walnuts.
• 2. Transfer to two 5-3/4-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pans coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves (6 slices each).

Editor's Note: If using frozen rhubarb, measure rhubarb while still frozen, then thaw completely. Drain in a colander, but do not press liquid out.

Nutritional Facts

1 slice equals 128 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 81 mg sodium, 15 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 2 g protein.

Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/orange-rhubarb-bread/print#ixzz3Y2xQsJQb

Tree Bones

One of the things intriguing about this time of year is being able to see the "Bones of a Tree". This tree has beautiful bones.

Bought a shed

Went to Ames yesterday and bought a shed. Butch has had his fill of construction for a spell having been immersed in it every summer since 2011so we decided to buy a ready made shed and we like this one. It is lofted on the sides increasing our storage area by quite a bit. We have some land leveling we want to be completed  before this is delivered. So in a few weeks we should have our new shed and be able to shift some items giving Butch more room in his "shop/garage".

Everybody is happy!!

RVing Tip of the Day

Butch and I have replaced our big bulky TV in the front of our Motorhome. More than once actually. I wish we had seen this article before we did it and that is why I am sharing it with you. This option has much appeal on many levels. 

This info came from a newsletter we read regularly and you may want to as well so here is the website. http://www.rvtravel.com/?q=daily-rv-tips-issue2129602

Barb B.

More ado about a drop-down TV bracket

by Greg Illes

 

Editor's note: Back in Issue 596 we ran a story on a fold-down TV bracket that Greg put into his Class A motorhome. We immediately were hit with cries of, "Where can we get one?" from our readers. Here's a follow-up from Greg. 

 

The bracket is full-custom, not store-bought. In order to get the TV nearly flush to the windshield, and also up tight against the overhead when stored, I needed a bent bracket design.

 

First, I used a piece of wire to mock up the angle and length I needed. Then I had a local plastics shop put a bend in a piece of 3/8" ABS textured sheet.

 

The sheet is attached at the front with two standard three-inch steel hinges, fastened to a metal portion of the overhead structure.

 

At the back edge, I used two strap retainers to hold one-inch black nylon straps. These use standard strap snap-catches to hold the TV up in stored position. I used two for stability and fail-safe design (don't want that puppy coming down while I'm driving), plus I needed the finished affair to be rattle-free. These worked out very nice.

 

I punched a one-inch hole in the overhead to accept all the cabling, and I put a split-sleeve cable cover over it all to dress it up a little.

 

The TV didn't hang down quite vertically (bent bracket center-of-gravity offset), so I mounted a small wooden knob into the windshield vertical post (not shown in photos). The bottom of the bent bracket slips over the edge of the knob to hold the TV vertical, and also to keep it from swinging.

Weekend of fun

I looked at the last post and I must say I am slipping! I never used to let that many days go by without a post. I began this blog in 2002. Thirteen years ago and it does not seem possible it has been that long.
We have been  getting settled in at our "other" house and the more years that pass the longer that seems to take.
We stopped all the action on Saturday and went to Missouri to see our Great Granddaughter Elise in her first theatrical performance. The Harrisonville High School theatrical group performed "The Music Man" And our little Miss Elise age 4 soon to be 5 was the youngest member of the cast as one of the River City children. She was magnificent of course. She had a few minor snafu's in the 4 two-hour performances. One of which was she was missing from the stage when she was supposed to be there. She told her grandmother that she had to go to the bathroom and thought that was more important. And indeed it was!
Photos were not allowed during the performance although a few were taken during dress rehearsal. All of the performers did a wonderful job. It was indeed very entertaining and I am not saying that to be kind. It was of a very high caliber.                      
                                                   Our Miss Elise

                                   After the performance sitting on Papa Gary's lap.

 She put up less fuss about the uniform as long as she had the horn.

Leo and Elise Teeter

                                         Leo turned two on April 11th and his diction is superb for his age. He is also a very amiable young man and cheerful much of the time. When we first arrived he came down the stairs to greet me and he said, Hi Nana Barbara! with a big smile And I said, "Well, Hi there Leo, How are you?" He said, "Good!" with an emphatic nod of his head! The clearness of his speech blew me away. It really makes you take notice when you hear a two-year-old speak clearer and more defined than many adults.

It was a fun weekend!

The trip home was fine until we hit the Iowa line when we encountered a heavy rainstorm. There were a few more after that so we hightailed home not stopping for lunch till we were back in Jefferson.

Busy as Bees

Butch jumped right to it as soon as his feet touched Iowa soil and he now has a new railing built for the front steps. A picture will be forthcoming as soon as I get it painted.
I am still busy moving out of the motorhome and before you scoff and say, "How hard can THAT be." I will tell you. It is very much like moving from one house to another...twice a year. The bedding, towels, rugs etc. need laundered. All the food products need moved from the moho to the house. They do not get any fresher staying in the motorhome where I may forget they exist. And then the clothing gets sorted out. I must say it is a good time to make note of what you wear and what may get donated. This winter in Texas was not a warm one so before I discard all my warm weather clothing I may want to give Texas another chance.
We will have been back in Iowa a week tomorrow and I am a ways from saying I am settled in. I am closer today than yesterday and that is the goal each day for now.

Practice with Chrome!

I read this in a newsletter I receive and thought, " Wow, I have been saying this for awhile and here it is again."

"If you’re an IE (Internet Explorer) fan, you’ll be happy to know that the next incarnation of  IE(Internet Explorer) called “Spartan” will be so much like Chrome you’ll wish you would have learned Chrome :)
Smile! Just kidding….but hey Spartan does look like a Chrome clone!"

Homemade Mosquito Trap

WITH WARMER WEATHER COMES MOSQUITOS! WITH SUMMER APPROACHING, I THOUGHT I'D SHARE THIS.

This is a homemade trap to help keep you and the kiddos from being a blood donor!!!

HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP:

Items needed:

1 cup of water

1/4 cup of brown sugar

1 gram of yeast

1 2-liter bottle

HOW:

1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.

2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle.

3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes.

4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired.

5. Wrap the bottle with something black, leaving the top uncovered, and place it outside in an area away from your normal gathering area. (Mosquitoes are also drawn to the color black.)

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

Lost is Found

Remember last Fall when Sherri and I went on a bike ride on the Madrid trail and I lost my little coin purse containing my drivers license, credit card and about $50 in cash?
Yesterday Jason came over and wanted to go bike riding so I grabbed my bike helmet took out my biking gloves and there in the bottom of my helmet was the coin purse! I could not believe it!! I am feeling very fortunate!

Treasure trove of dress-ups

Miss Elise is THRILLed with her jackpot of dress-up clothes found at Ropa by the ladies of Magnolia Park. This is her current favorite.